After years of war, northern border town bets on tiny classes to bring families home

Three years after a war and evacuation, the northern border town of Metula is embarking on a new approach to education called the "Whole Education" model. This innovative method focuses on small classes of eight to ten students, close collaboration among education teams, and treating each child as an individual. The model is set to be implemented at HaNadiv School as the town continues to rebuild and bring families back home.

Metula officials say the initiative arose from a broader question: what should the future look like for children returning to their homes after years of displacement? Rather than merely restoring infrastructure, the town aims to create a comprehensive educational framework that supports the coming school year. Each grade will consist of approximately eight to ten students, with formal and informal education teams maintaining regular contact to share information throughout the day.

This coordinated approach aims to provide a more holistic picture of each child's academic, emotional, and social needs.

The ultimate goal is to enable teachers and staff to know every student intimately, tailoring both learning and emotional support to individual requirements. Parents will also be actively involved in the process, fostering ongoing communication and engagement. Alongside academic success, the program emphasizes personal development, values, emotional resilience, social responsibility, and a sense of belonging.

David Azoulay, head of the Metula Council, explained that the town chose not to simply return to the pre-war educational system but to create something new, bigger, and better. He emphasized that the "Whole Education" model is not a curriculum but a worldview guiding the town's approach. According to Azoulay, every child should feel seen, valued, and have the opportunity to grow, dream, succeed, and fulfill themselves.

The new education system is intended not only for Metula residents returning home but also for families across the Galilee who seek a smaller, more personalized educational framework. The council sees the completion of staff recruitment and preparations for the new school year as a significant milestone in restoring normal life to the town, highlighting that genuine recovery begins with the community itself, starting with the first classroom reopening and teachers welcoming children.